Sunday Worship Bulletin Feast of Christ the King 10:00 a.m. November 25, 2018 Saint John's Lutheran Church ---- Missouri Synod ---- 60 Broad Street, Westfield, MA (413)568-1417 Rev. David Riley, Pastor 125 Glenwood Drive Westfield, MA 01085 Cell phone # 870-814-4828 Website: www.stjohnswestfield.org E-mail: info@stjohnswestfield.org Music Ministry Site: www.stjohnsmusic.org Radio Broadcast at 7:30 a.m. on WHYN 560 AM WELCOME IN THE NAME OF JESUS, OUR LORD! We pray that our worship this day will be an inspiration to every one of us. If you are a visitor or the guest of someone, please sign our Guest Book at the round table in the Foyer. Requests for prayers in this morning's service may be made by writing them on the Prayer Request form in the entryway of the church. A Nursery for infants and toddlers is available in Room 4 on this level. Jesus said: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
The Order of Holy Communion Setting One TO OUR VISITORS AND GUESTS: The Sacrament of the Lord s Supper at this congregation is administered in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. It is celebrated in the confidence that we receive into our mouths, not just bread and wine, but as our Lord promises His true Body and Blood through and in which we obtain the forgiveness of sins. If you are not a member of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, we kindly ask that you arrange for a time to speak with Pastor Riley if you are interested in receiving Holy Communion. AS WE GATHER Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year. Next week we will turn our attention to Advent and preparations for the celebration of Christ s incarnation. But as we prepare to celebrate Christ s first coming, we also anticipate His second coming. Christ s return in glory is the focus of this service. Jesus calls on His followers to stay awake and remain prepared for His coming. He warns that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. But He promises He is returning and returning soon. PRELUDE ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING HYMN NO. 525: Crown Him with Many Crowns Confession and Absolution p. 151 INTROIT (Sung by the Choir) We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,* the home of righteousness. O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days;* let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,* and my lifetime is as nothing be- fore you. And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?* My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my trans- gressions.* Do not make me the scorn of the fool! Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry;* hold not your peace at my tears! (Sung by All) Glory be to the Father and to the Son* and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the be- ginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen.
SALUTATION and COLLECT P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. Service of the Word p. 152 Kyrie This is the Feast P: Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. (Be Seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 51:4 6 (God s salvation will be forever.) Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL: (Sung by All) These are the ones coming out of the great tribu- lation.* They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Blessèd are those whose strength is in you,* in whose heart are the highways to Zion. EPISTLE: Jude 20 25 (Keep yourselves in the love of God.) But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. We Stand and sing the Alleluia (Page 156)
HOLY GOSPEL: Mark 13:24-37 (Stay awake and keep prepared for Christ s coming.) P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the thirteenth chapter. C (sung): Glory to You, O Lord. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants, in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore, stay awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C (sung): Praise to You, O Christ. (Be Seated) HYMN of the DAY NO. 549: "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name" SERMON: "" Isaiah 51:4-6 NICENE CREED (page 158) (Please Stand) PRAYER of the CHURCH P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Lord, You reign as King forever. Protect Your Church from false teaching and scandalous living. Set Your justice as a light to all people. Lord, in Your mercy, P: Lord, You are robed in majesty. In creation, You clothed us with Your image, but we daily sin, staining and warping Your perfect image into something unrecognizable. Keep us in Christ, who clothes us in robes that have been washed white in His own blood. Lord, in Your mercy,
P: Lord, in this fallen world, creation groans with many disasters. Restore the livelihood of those who have suffered such disasters as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires, for You, O Lord, are mightier than any storm or flood. Lord, in Your mercy, P: Lord, send healing to all who are sick, injured, and recovering. If it be Your will, restore their heath with the overflowing abundance that comes only from Your hand. Lord, in Your mercy, P: Lord, death remains a curse until You come again. Though we know You are coming soon, we still mourn the death of loved ones. Comfort all who grieve with the hope of the promised resurrection and return of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, P: Lord, we praise You for the blessings You have poured out upon us. We rejoice with those who rejoice. Lord, in Your mercy, P: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. C: Amen. Offering We respond to God's love with our OFFERINGS Choir Anthem: "The Hallelujah Chorus" Service of the Sacrament (p. 160) At the time of DISTRIBUTION, all those wishing to receive Holy Communion will come forward as the ushers direct. The bread/body of the Lord will be served in your hand. If you wish to receive the Lord s blood from an individual glass rather than from the common cup, indicate so when Assistant comes to you and he will hand you a glass from which you then drink and place back in the tray carried by the acolyte. If you are not a member of this congregation or a sister congregation within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, it is suggested that you speak to the Pastor before partaking of Holy Communion. DISTRIBUTION HYMN No. 537: Beautiful Savior" At the end of the Distribution we stand and continue with NUNC DIMITTIS on p. 165 CLOSING HYMN NO. 336: "Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending" SILENT PRAYER POSTLUDE
SERVING US AS WE WORSHIP TODAY: Lay Assistants Paul Brose & William Schneeloch Lay Reader William Schneeloch Acolyte Dan Provost Director of Music Jeff Windoloski Altar Care Matt Talmadge PLEASE REMEMBER TO ORDER YOUR POINSETTIAS to adorn our altar for Christmas. Order forms are on the round table in the foyer. See Jane for any questions. GREAT HOSTESS GIFT IDEAS: The Youth Group has the following fundraisers which make wonderful gifts to give to those hosting your family on Thanksgiving. See Jane McClure. 2019 SCRIPTURE CALENDARS $8.00 each 2019 SCRIPTURE POCKET CALENDARS $5.00 each ADVENT CANDLELIGHT DINNER will be held next Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. The menu for the evening will be chicken, rice pilaf, green beans, and fabulous homemade desserts. If you would to attend there are sign-up sheets in the foyer. Hosts/Hostesses are needed. If you have any questions, please speak to Linda Slozak or Jane McClure.